The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1887-01-13

said L 80 Having lived among then
and heard their conversation, h,
would know their characters too wei
to be deceived in the consequences C
your scheme"
&" But papa would pay them, Mr.
Royle. He would give them any
| pledge they might choose to name
that they would run no risk. The
money could be sent to them-they
need not appear-they need not be
SEEN"
I'VE know they would run nc
risks; but could we get them to be-
| lieve us?"
AT least let us try
No-forgive me-we must not
try. We must have nothing more to
say. You have spoken to Stevens; lei
him talk among the men. If the re-
ward tempt them, be sure they will
concert measures among themselves
to land you. But L beg you to have
no faith in this project. They are viii
lains who will betray you in the end.
The boatswain's arguments respecting
them are perfectly just-so Just that
faith in him. He owns that his own
life is in jeopardy, and 1 believe he
will hit upon some eXpedient to save
US. See how he watches US! He will
join us presently"
As predicted, in a few minutes he
came sauntering toward us. He flung
a coil of rope over a belaying-pin.
looked over the ships side, APP
preached us nearer, and pulled out i
pipe and asked me for light. | had
one i'll my pocket and gave it to him.
This was his excuse to speak.
at isn't SO suspicious-lookin' to talk
now as it would be at night or in the
cuddy-and in the cuddy there's no
telling whose ears are about" he said.
I'll give you my scheme, thought on
since breakfast, and listen close, for
dursent talk much; after this we must
Delay, or the men II be set jawing.
When we come to the Gulf of Mexico,
you'll let me know how long it'll be
afore we're fifty miles off the Missis-
sippi. | helped to stow the cargo in
this vessel, and she's choke full, and
there's only one place where they'll be
able to get at to scuttle her, and that
right fore ard of the fore-hatch. FL
let that out to Stevens bit by bit, in an
ordinary way, and he'll remember it.
The night afore we heave-tO-you'll
tell me when-rll fall overheard and
get drowned. That'll happen in your
watch. Wen get one O those packin'-
cases full o tin tack up out O. the steer
age and stow it away in one of the
quarter-bOats, and you'll let that drop
Overboard-d'ye see?-which II sound
like mans body. and sink right
away, and then you II roar out that the
boatSwain' S fallen overheard. Let EN-
do what they like. shall be slowed
away fore ard, down in the fore-peak
somewheres, and the man as comes
there to bore q hole I'll choke. Leave
the rest TO me. If Stevens he sings out
to know if it's done, I'll say yes, and
tell him TO lower away the boats, and
hold on for me. He'll take my voice
for the fellow as is scuttling the ship.
Now" he added, vehemently, I'LL
lay any man fifty pounds agin ten shil-
lingS that Stevens don t wait for the
man he sends below. He'll get into
You'll give me the signal and I'll come
up sharp, an if there a breath O. air
We'll have the main-yards round some
how; and if the boats get in our road
wei IL run 'em down, and if there's no
wind and they try to board us-let 'em
look out! for there'll be more blood
letting among them than they ever saw
before"
He mOtioned with his hand that we
should leave the poop and walk away.
Miss Robertson looked at me and l at
her for some moments in silence.
"Will it do, Mr.. Royle?" she ask ed,
in q low voice.
Yes" l said.
you think we shall be saved by
this Stratagem?"
l reflected before answering, and
then said: Il do"
She went down the companion-lad-
der, and when we were in the cuddy
she took my hand in both of hers and
pressed it tightly to her heart, then
hurried into her cabin.